The Lambertville record., 1887-07-13
N. ]. EDITORIAL EXCURSION.
A Visit to Gettysburg, Luray and Natural
Bridge.
Continued from last week.)


promptu entertainment, given by Miss
McGuire, Of Trenton, and others, we de-
part from the very parlor the scenes in
which since our sojourn have been quite as
touching as they were joyous tous. Mrs.
Pickett, on her return to Springs Hotel
from the old battle field, was profoundly
impressed by the friendship and courtesy
shown the veterans of her husbands old
division. 1t is said almost every mem
Der of the Philadelphia Brigade left their
organization badges with her, and the
wife of one of the Seventy-frst, accom-
panied by her husband, took from her
breast and pinned upon that of Mrs.
Pickett bow made Of blue and gray rib
bon. Neither of the ladies uttered a
word during this touching incident, but
the fearful eyes and warm pressure of
their hands as they separated, were more
eloquent than any words that were strug-
Cling for utterance. At 7:30, promptly
on time, Zone of the many good points
the organization can boast Of, we return
to Carlisle, a town of 6, 300 population and
worthy of extended mention. The more
important towns along the line we are
about to travel, are just eleven miles
apart, SO established years ago at the
time OF laying out the stage route, which
was afterwards supplanted by horse cars
and then by steam on the very old stage
road bed. This accounts for the railroad
running directly through the centre of
these thrifty towns Newville, Shippens-
burg Chambersburg, population seven
Thousand, Originally called Conocochea-
que, small frontier village, on the very
edge OF civilization,) which has been the
scene of many severe trials-the French
and Indian War in 1865, the Revolution
and the late Civil War, the raiding par
ties Of the Southern army, pilfering, sack
ing and finally the burning by McCaus.
lands men, July Both, 1864. This act
leaves dark stain recorded against the
late Rebellion.
Greencastle, population 1900, is the
next eleven miles run. Near by is Flem-
ming'a farm, where monument is erect
ed to the memory of Rihl, who was killed
in skirmish June 23, 1868, the first
Union soldier that lost his life north of
Mason and Dixon's Line, which is about 8
miles south Of this point. Another IL
miles to Hagerstown, population 0,000,
very thrifty looking and dates far back in
history. Quite centering of railroads is
noticed here, snowy depot and very
creditable restaurant. Here is where a
bounteous lunch was put on board, going
and returning. Now we are Informed Of
the entrance to the Shenandoah Valley.
leaving tho Cumberland, which ends at
Our run now is in south
west direction, with the Blue Ridge to
the west and South Mountains to the east.
This noted valley terminates at Roanoke,
Va. A run of 8 miles brings us to the bat
tie field of Antietam. Our route passed
through that portion of the field occupied
by "Stonewall' Jackson's Confederate
forces, where the hardest fighting occur
red. Near by is Sharpsburg, with the
National Cemetery of Federal Dead" I"
Here the romans of 5000 Northern SOL
diers rest, who fell on the bloody aAid
above named. Soon we are crossing the
Potomac on tressel bridge, 1876 feet
above the river bed. Down the river to
our left is the "Old Pack Horse Ford;' a
short distance above, the Union troops a
few days after the battle of Antietam,
were driven over the cliffs into the river
below, entailing loss of 5000 men. A
terrible slaughter The river it is said
was Redeemed with blood. Charlestown,
the next point Of interest, is noted as the
place where John Brown was tried and
executed. The old court house was plain
ly seen. The entire length and breadth of
this valley is noted for heroic deeds and
historic facts. On to, and quickly we
pass, Luray. The large Dutch barns have
now disappeared, though crops were very
wheat was harvested and
good all along the line. Most of our par
ty have done lunch, which was neatly
put up In huge pasteboard boxes. For
singular twas doubler, served on ulmus
wood trays; the surplus served double the
purpose for which it was intended. A
little further south, at Mines, while our
train paused to change engines, multi
tudes of little black negroes, by the way.
side, were made happy and much delight
ed to partake of the residue of onr double
rations. The colored caterers of this village
who approached our car windows with
chicken sandwiches, were not little sur
prised to witness our party serving lunch
to half score or more of their village
youngsters. Some one exclaimed, ''Great
scot J where did you get all dc old chick
ems FROM her (de ancient one's) reply
was "De Oldest chicks come from de
highest boughs.' Poultry through this
section was notably scarce; darkies were
remarkably numerous. Some of our
friends not with us on the Old Point
Comfort trip, were amazed at Virginia
pachyderms, !. 9. swine roaming the for
ests with shad like bodies, long legs and
knotless tails. This is accounted for by the
naughty tales told of the Virginia dar-
kies. The farmers say breed of hogs
that cannot out run negro are no good
down here.
The mountains on both sides close In
on us, the valley narrows, altitude in
creases 05 feet per mile, until we reach
the height of 300 feet, the summit of the
railroad grade, which has passed us over
a valley of hills and dales, through deer
cuts and over high trestle bridges. We
now descend to the James River and hall
at Glenwood, the station for Natura
Bridge, n miles distant. Three old tai.
ly-ho's, busses and lastly farmers make
up brings up the rear, the novelty and
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